The Dallas Stars have taken another step towards building their future home in Plano, hiring a firm to lead the proposed arena’s design. The team announced on Monday that HNTB will lead the work on the arena, which is planned to be the centerpiece of a mixed-use business district at the current site of the Shops at Willow Bend Mall off of the Dallas North Tollway.

Design and Plans

HNTB has previously worked with NFL and NBA teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Milwaukee Bucks, to build those franchises’ new arenas. The firm will bring its wealth of experience and knowledge to create the best arena in the NHL, according to Tom Gaglardi, Dallas Stars owner, governor, and chairman.

The Dallas Stars have a clear and ambitious vision for a new home that delivers an exceptional experience for fans, players, and the broader North Texas community, said Doug Mann, HNTB corporate president and project executive. HNTB is committed to bringing the full strength of our sports design practice and our deep local presence to create an arena that is authentic to the Stars, built for Texas hockey, and positioned to serve the community for generations.

Next Steps

Tonight, the Plano City Council will vote on calling a special election in November that would allow voters to decide on supporting a special venue tax to fund the Stars’ new arena. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. CT.

Original reporting: Dallas – Ft. Worth Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.